The heart of Darkness

Chapter 1

Today's the day. 17, the big 1-7 right? Supposed to be special or something like that. Anyways I head to school and ya know everyone gives me the "happy birthday man!" Cuz my dad's rich. I'm the most popular guy cuz I have the good parties and the nice clothes. Then my girlfriend Lacey walks up and puts her hands on my eyes. "Guess who?" She says in that sing songy voice. I hate it but she can make it sound alright. "Lacey?" I asked, and she uncovered her eyes and held out this sparkly bag with way to much tissue paper hanging out. "What's this? You know we agreed to no gifts on one another's birthday!" That pissed her off, and I laughed.
Lacey is perfect. Blonde hair, long tan legs, and her blue eyes... Sorry you were expecting me to say boobs right? Well that's my part of her body to worry about. Not yours. Anyways the rest of the day went by as per usual. Chem, all the old classes no one cares about. Then I got home.
My parents are the type of parents that leave me alone all the time. I have a butler who I play video games with, but he's all I have at home. I really wanted one birthday where they were there. The note on the side table when I walked in.. Ruined that.
"SORRY SWEETIE, HAD TO GO ON A BUSINESS TRIP. HAVE A GOOD BIRTHDAY LOVE YOU!!!!!
Mom & Dad"
"We gonna play video games or not?" Freddy said. He's the butler. He made my favorite dinner, and played video games with me. And then I went to bed.
All I could think about was that old riddle that people told me all day about not opening my eyes while I sleep and then I drifted off into a peaceful nothing. I woke up to my window creaking open and the curtains billowing inward as the wind made them dance. And I almost went back to sleep, till I saw him.
He was the most beautiful/horrifying thing I've ever seen. He was tall and a black shadow-like figure. He had amber eyes that glowed, and were the only solid thing about him.
Once he realized I had seen him, he flew out the window. Into the woods. I couldn't let it end there. So I climbed onto the roof and down the siding, running to find the creature in the woods. He stopped at The Clearing.
The Clearing is my spot. It's the only part of the forest that let's light touch it's delicate floors. Day or night. That's what I love about it.
The moonlight shines down on him, making him glisten.
"WHO or WHAT are you?" I say trying to sound all macho.
"Why must you worry who or what I am youngling? Shouldn't you worry more whether I'm going to KILL you or not?" He says. His voice sounds like liquid gold, with the slight hint or malevolence. I almost piss my pants because of it. He laughs," Or have you come because you want to die?"
"I came because... Because
I'm not afraid of you! Like everyone else is!" I scream, clenching my fists so hard that they turn white. I have nothing left to lose, right?
"So if you're gonna kill me, get it over with! You big black.. Thing!"
He chuckles, which is enough to root me to the spot I'm standing in, and spins around to face me. I'm caught in the trance that is his eyes.
"You show promise youngling. I'll keep you." And he grows. He grows so large and wide, he blocks the moonlight. All at once a thick blanket of shadow encases me. Choking me, filling my body with darkness. I struggle but it does me no good. The last things I see are his eyes slowly fading as mine close.
I woke up in my bed, in nothing but my underwear. Which is weird.. because I don't remember last night. I get up and go to my bathroom, strip and shower. Then I get out, and I see it. My hair was a dirty blonde yesterday. It's Jet friggin' Black today. I immediately lean down into the sink basin and try to rub it out but it acts like it was always my natural hair color. What's.. Going on?
I'm... Stronger than I was, too. My body looks more toned... Who am I now?